Combined folding table and seat



P. 1.. PECKHAM COMBINED FOLDING TABLE AND'SEAT Filed Jan. 24, 1945 31 INVENTOR 30 29 24 1 (Pal/if BY M Patented May 27, 1947 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED FOLDING TABLE. AND SEAT Paul L. Peckham, Glendale, Calif.

Application January 24, 1945, Serial No. 574,282

3 Claims.

My invention has reference to a compact foldable table structure and seat combination which may readily be utilized as is any ordinary table for either one or two persons.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a table and seat combination which may readily be carried about without effort, on camping and other outside trips, for example, as well as for permanent inside use as is common with all tables.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a table and seat in combination requiring no appreciable efiort to either raise or lower the combined unitary structure.

A further important object is to provide a unitary combined table and seat wherein the structural embodiment is such as to readily and compactly fold to permit its structural components to practically dove-tail into one another so as to form an almost flat low even height surface area. Thus, stacking of the folded units one upon another for storage, shipment, or otherwise, is readily and safely accomplished with a minimum of space requirements.

And a further object is to provide a combined folding table and seat, free from objectionable features in both appearance and structure, ever ready to serve the user for any purpose a table may be utilized for, as well as readily manipulated by old and young alike.

I attain these objects by the combined folding table and seat illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a right hand end view of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, with the invention in a partially folded position, and

Figure 5 is a similar sectional view but showing the invention in its completely folded position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, thus a pair of parallel rails Ill and cross members I8 and 23 provide a base or foundation structure for firmly positioning the combined table and seat on a floor or other surface area. The table top II is provided with a pair of rails I2 secured to the underside thereof and positioned in parallel alignment with the rails Ill.

The rails I2 are connected to and supported above the rails II] by a pair of pivoted cross members I3. Said pivoted cross members form pairs of table legs I4 and I5. The legs of each pair are centrally pivoted to one another on an end of a cross bar I6 connecting said pairs of legs.

The upper ends of the legs I4 are each pivotly connected to one of the rails I2 adjacent the rear end (left end in Fig. 3) of said rails on an end of a cross bar I I, connecting said rails I2. The lower ends of the legs I5 are each pivotly connected to one of the rails ID on an end of a bar I8 connecting the rails I 0.

A tie bar I9 connects at its ends the upper ends of the legs I5 which are free from any other connection, except that the table top II rests upon the ends of said legs I5 when the table is unfolded for use.

A tie bar 20 connects at its respective ends the lower portions of the le s e 0Wer ends of the legs I4 carry dowel pins 2I adapted to seat in holes 22 provided in the upper edge of the rails It to maintain the table and seat unit in assembled or set-up position for use.

A tie bar 23 connects the ends of the rails I0 opposite the ends of said rails connected by the bar I8.

Another tie bar 24 having its ends fixed in the rails I0 approximately midway the holes 22 and the bar 23 provides a pivot for the lower ends of a pair of legs 25 pivoted at their upper ends about the ends of a bar 26 secured to the under side of a seat 21 by a pair of bearing blocks 28.

A rail 29 is secured to the under side of the seat 21 and is journaled at one end about the bar 26. It is provided at its other end' with a notch 30 adapted to hook over the bar I6 when the seat 21 is raised and thereby secured in position for use.

Another notch 3| is provided in the under edge of the rail 29 to fit over the bar 24 when the unit is in the folded or knock-down position,

thereby permitting a closer folding or collapsing plished, since the mere lifting of the rail 29 to free it from contact with the bar I6 causes the seat to fall in the position described. Thereafter, lifting one or both legs I4 to free them from contact'with the holes 22 permits the crosspivoted legs I 4 and I5 to spread along the rails as is partly shown in Fig. 4, until the structure is entirely collapsed as is shown in Fig. 5.

Obviously, to unfold or set-up the table, the procedure is reversed from that described for collapsing or folding the same. The entire procedure is practically automatic in action. There is little if any effort required.

The invention offers no objectionable features, may be constructed from suitable materials the market affords and at no great cost. Moreover, it may be constructed in varying sizes from a childs combination to that required by adults. It comprises an excellent cafeteria and lunch room combination, and may readily be adapted to class room purposes as well. The table load is substantially centered between the lowermost ex panse of the legs I4 and I5, and the table top proper. It cannot tip.

I am aware that slight modifications and embodiments in structure could readily be made without departing from the scope thereof as herein shown. For example, by duplicating the seat structure on the opposite side of the table from that shown, two persons, one on each side could readily use the same. Hence, I do not limit my present invention to the exact structural embodiments herein disclosed, but what I do claim is:

1. In a combined folding table: and seat, a base structure, two pairs of table legs arranged with the legs of each pair crossed, means pivotally connecting the lower ends of certain corresponding legs of each pair to said base structure, a table top, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of the other corresponding legs of each pair to said table top so that the latter when in position of use will rest on the upper ends of the legs pivoted to the base structure, cooperating means on the lower ends of the legs which are pivoted to the table top and on the base structure respectively, for detachably fastening such legs to the base structure to maintain the legs in table top supporting position and subject to collapse on detaching such legs from the base structure, seat-supporting legs pivoted on the base structure, a seat, a rail supporting said seat and pivoted to the upper ends of said seat-supporting legs and projecting inwardly from the seat to a point beneath the table top, and a cross bar extending between and serving as a pivot means for the pairs of legs, said rail being notched to engage said cross bar to hold the seat in position of use.

2. In a combined folding table and seat, a base structure, two pairs of table legs arranged with the legs of each pair crossed, means pivotally connecting the lower ends of certain corresponding legs of each pair to said base structure, a table top, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of the other corresponding legs of each pair to said table top so that the latter when in position of use will rest on the upper ends of the legs pivoted to the base structure, cooperating means on the lower ends of the legs which are pivoted to the table top and on the base structure respectively, for detachably fastening such legs to the base structure to maintain the legs in table top supporting position and subject to collapse on detaching such legs from the base structure, seatsupporting legs pivoted on the base structure, a seat, a rail supporting said seat and pivoted to the upper ends of said seat-supporting legs and projecting inwardly from the seat to a point heneath the table top, and a cross bar extending between and serving as a pivot means for the pairs of legs, said rail being notched to engage said cross bar to hold the seat in position of use, and a second cross bar on said base structure, said rail having a second notch to receive the cross bar on the base structure when the rail, seat and seat supporting legs are collapsed.

3. In a combined folding table and seat, a base structure, two pairs of table legs arranged with the legs of each pair crossed, means pivotally connecting the lower ends of certain corresponding legs of each pair to said base structure, a table top, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of the other corresponding legs of each pair to said table top so that the latter when in position of use will rest'on the upper ends of the legs pivoted to the base structure, cooperating means on the lower ends of the legs which are pivoted to the table top and on the base structure respectively, for detachably fastening such legs to the base structure to maintain the legs in table top supporting position and subject to collapse on detaching such legs from the base structure, said base structure extending outwardly to one side of the table legs and table top, a seat, collapsible seat-supporting means pivotally connected to the base structure and supporting the seat, a cross bar supported by and between said pairs of table legs in axial alignment and serving as pivotal connections for the legs where crossed and means on said seat supporting means for detachably engaging said bar to hold the seat in position of use, said legs, table top, seat and seat supporting means lying upon and between the ends of said base structure when collapsed. PAUL L. PECKHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

